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The war between Israel and Hamas has been going on for almost 6 days, while some media reports claim that Israel is using white phosphorus in the attacks it is making in the Gaza Strip, a densely populated area.
Israel has stepped up airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, and has deployed some 300,000 reservists to the border for a possible ground invasion.
Several photos, videos and claims on social media claim that Israeli forces are using white phosphorus on civilians in the Gaza Strip.
This is not the first time Israel has been accused of using white phosphorus. Israel admitted to using white phosphorus during its December 2008-January 2010 offensive in the Gaza Strip.
White phosphorous is not illegal under international law, but their use in civilian areas is strictly prohibited because international law requires combatants to distinguish between civilian and military elements.
But when used on civilians, phosphorus bombs can have a devastating effect. White phosphorus can burn people to the bone, burn inside the body and reignite when the bandages are removed, according to Human Rights Watch. White phosphorus can enter the bloodstream through the skin, poisoning the kidneys, liver and heart. People can die simply from inhaling white phosphorus.